DepEd launches anti-measles campaign

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) issued last week Memorandum 03 on the implementation of its anti-measles campaign in public schools.

Taking a cue from the Department of Health, DepEd ordered division superintendents and regional directors to oversee the implementation of the campaign.

School heads were instructed to send home students showing flu-like symptoms, and asked schools to disseminate information about measles and immunization procedures. The state agency also ordered schools to report identified cases to concerned local health units and coordinate with the local government for the complete vaccination of students. Measles are rapidly transmitted through air or direct contact and causes diarrhea, dehydration, pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness and deafness. Young and undernourished children are more at risk.

Information regarding suspected and existing measles cases will be relayed through the Preventive Alert System in Schools, where school principals must conduct, monitor and maintain records of students and personnel’s daily health inspection. The information will then be relayed to the superintendents and to the DepEd central office for review and action.